Seals, seabirds and other coastal things.

Posted on October 14, 2018October 14, 2018 Posted in outdoors, wildlifeTagged black headed gulls, coast, Coastal, Cormorants, County Down, Curlew, Grey Heron, Grey seals, Ireland, Lapwing, Nikon cameras, Nikon D7200, Northern Ireland, Robin, Rowing boats, sea birds, seagulls, shore, sigma, Sigma lens, Skiff's, Strangford, Strangford lough, wildlife, wildlife photography9 Comments

So I’ve been a little quiet on the blog, I’ve been busy moving to my new place to live. So for the first in a month I had a few hours to spare and it being a beautiful autumn day here I took a drive to the County Down coast. A few gentle walks and just parking up in other spots, it was an easy day. Chatted to a couple of other photographers and those just out for a stroll. So a few photos from today, Think the title might give a clue…

Grey Heron ( Ardea cinerea )

A Curlew ( Scolopacidae ) I spooked from its resting place.

Black headed gulls (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) in winter plumage.

In full song a Robin ( Erithacus rubecula )

A couple of Cormorants ( Phalacrocoracidae )

Not a 100 percent but I think this is called a Skiff. So if any person knows what they are could you let me know. Check this link

The Grey Seal ( Halichoerus grypus ) and they are not all grey in colour.

Heading back towards Strangford.

Next a few shots of the Little Egret ( Egretta garzetta )

these birds flying in the photo’s are Lapwings ( Vanellinae )

Peace at last..

Unless he know’s different..

Don’t like the look of him..

So like my flying friend it’s time to go, hope you enjoyed the day out and you will join me another time. Thank you and take care.

George.

Another one over.

Posted on December 30, 2017December 30, 2017 Posted in General, wildlifeTagged County Down, Dundrum, Greenshank, Grey Heron, Mourne mountains, Mudflats, Nikon D7200, sea birds, seagulls, sigma 150-600, Sigma lens, wild birds, Wildfowl, wildlife photography4 Comments

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The above photograph was taken from my car of a Grey Heron that was meal hunting till I disturbed him. I took a couple of shots and left him in peace. It was a funny old day, I spend five days of the holidays in my bed due to illness dying with Man Flu. So not having seen my daughter or grandson over Christmas I was going to see them but they were out. So I went a few mile down the road to Dundrum inner bay. With the tide out so was the wildlife, can you see a pattern here. Yea no one home…..

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Bar this little chap here, not rare to see but not too common around here. A Greenshank. Another person I meet was called Leslie who stopped for a chat before going off to try for a shot a few mile around the coast of the sun setting.

He left me his web address so I could have look at his work, Leslie is a Photographer shooting landscapes, weddings and more. Has you will see his landscape shots are around the Mourne mountain area and well worth a look. Stunning is what I called them.

A link to his web site. Mourne Mountain Photography

Please do check out Leslie’s work. So after we parted I’m back where I started with the Grey Heron. A text to my mobile/cell informed me my daughter was home. So needing a coffee and with my grandad head on, it was off to play with whatever Santa had left my grandson for Christmas. Which I can report kept us amused till his bed time.

So another year almost gone, I want to thank you all for your support, comments and likes. May you get your dreams and wishes in 2018, leave those fears here in 2017. All the best my friends.

George McNeill.

Newry Canal

Posted on July 8, 2017July 8, 2017 Posted in GeneralTagged Boats, Buttercrane Centre, County Down, Grey Heron, Merchants Quay, Newry, Newry Canal, Nikon D7200, Northern Ireland, sailing boats, The Docker sculpture, yatchs4 Comments

Had an appointment in the town of Newry so with the weather spoiling us today with great sunshine and heat, I headed there early. Walked some of the canal down through to the Albert basin.

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First up is a sculpture caller the Newry Docker. Link here for more info .A sort distance along the basin some boats are moored up.

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Here’s a couple that caught my eye, they stood out with their masts echoing the church steeples in the background. Would have been a great day to be sailing has there was a gentle breeze.

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This is looking along the Buttercrane Quay, you can see the underwater vegetation here has the early morning sun filters through from the trees. Close to this spot a Grey Heron was feeding along the other bank. Nice to see these birds close up. Must be used to people has they normally fly off.

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While this shot shows the Buttercrane Centre reflected in the canal. link

Then it was time to meet some friends at Grounded Espresso Bar on the corner of Merchants Quay and Monaghan Street. Good coffee and time with friends rounded off a great morning in Newry.

Thank You for visiting.

George McNeill Photography

Tag: Grey Heron

Seals, seabirds and other coastal things.

Another one over.

Newry Canal